Roots by the River – Idaho Falls, Idahohttps://rootsbytheriver.org
enjoying life in the river cityMon, 14 Aug 2017 03:19:49 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://secure.gravatar.com/blavatar/164c9d7900a9bb9d4fa6727691d5c227?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.pngRoots by the River – Idaho Falls, Idahohttps://rootsbytheriver.org
El Roi & Yahweh Yirehhttps://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/08/14/el-roi-yahweh-yireh/
https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/08/14/el-roi-yahweh-yireh/#respondMon, 14 Aug 2017 03:19:15 +0000http://rootsbytheriver.org/?p=4025Continue reading →]]>This morning, the family of Emmaus Road Church worshiped the Lord at the Indian Springs Resort on the west side of American Falls, Idaho. We concluded a three day camp-out.

First, Pastor Beau took us to the story of Sarai and Hagar in Genesis 16. Barren Sarai tells Abraham to take Hagar as an additional wife in hopes that Abraham might have a child. Abraham listens and acts upon Sarai’s advice. As a result, Ishmael (“God hears”) is conceived. Hagar then treats Sarai with contempt, so Sarai deals harshly with her. Hagar flees into the wilderness, where the angel of the LORD comforts her. She called the name of the LORD who spoke to her:

You are a God of seeing

Hagar said,

Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.

And the well was called Beer-lahai-roi (the well of the Living One who sees me).

Second, Pastor Beau took us to the main passage for his message, Genesis 22:1-19, the binding of Isaac by his father Abraham in the land of Moriah. Mount Moriah is a significant place. We learn later in 2 Chronicles 3:1 that King Solomon builds the Temple on Mount Moriah. Moriah is the place where “it will be seen”; it is the place of revelation.

At the very moment that Abraham was going take a knife to slaughter his son, God prevents him. Abraham lifts his eyes. He sees that God has provided a ram. The Bible says in verse 14:

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide (or will see)”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided (or he will be seen).”

Third, Pastor Beau brought out how all this beautifully foreshadows the perfect Lamb to come, who in the area of Moriah would be lovingly offered up as the substitutionary atonement for our sins. Our God sees us in our destitution, and He provides. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 5:12).

My questions related to the text in Genesis 22:1-19 (ESV) . . .

Observation (questions for the head)

What is the command that God gave to Abraham in verse 2?

How did Abraham respond to God in verse 3?

What day did Abraham lift up his eyes and see (verse 4)?

What did Abraham declare by faith in verse 8?

What is noted about Isaac’s sonship to his father?

Interpretation (questions for the head and heart)

Was it God’s intention for Abraham to kill his son?

Did God approve of the human sacrifices that were common in Canaanite religions?

Can we appease God through inflicting pain upon ourselves or through our own moral efforts?

Is there anything significant about the third day in verse 4?

Does it appear that Isaac voluntarily submitted himself to his father, Abraham?

Where is verse 18 quoted in the New Testament?

Application (questions for the heart and hands)

Tell us a past story of how God has provided for you.

Do you believe that God sees everything you are feeling and thinking? Do you see Him bigger than all of your present circumstances? What is He revealing to you about Himself?

What are you asking Him to provide for you this week?

How has it been difficult for you to trust Him?

Concerning the greatest treasures that you hold dear to your heart, can you trust God like Abraham?

How is it that you have full provision in Jesus?

]]>https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/08/14/el-roi-yahweh-yireh/feed/0thinkingofheartissuesforldsMatthew 5:27-32https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/08/06/matthew-527-32/
https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/08/06/matthew-527-32/#respondSun, 06 Aug 2017 21:45:59 +0000http://rootsbytheriver.org/?p=3821Continue reading →]]>I missed Pastor Beau’s preaching today because I was ministering God’s Word to the brothers and sisters up north along the I-15 Corridor in Dubois, Idaho. But I am taking a stab at this week’s text where Jesus speaks on adultery, lust, and divorce.

My questions related to the text . . .

Observation (questions for the head):

What commandment is Jesus quoting from the Old Testament?

Jesus says you commit adultery in your heart when you do what?

What are you to do if your right eye causes you to sin?

People dominated by their lust are in danger of heading where (v. 30)?

Jesus said that divorce and adultery are committed except on what grounds?

Interpretation (questions for the head and heart):

When has a “look” crossed over from just a look to actual sin? Long ago, Martin Luther taught this insight: “You can’t prevent the devil from shooting arrows of evil thoughts into your heart; but take care that you do not let such arrows stick fast and grow there. Do as a good old man of past times has said: ‘I can’t prevent a bird from flying over my head, but I can prevent him making a nest in my hair.’ “

Is masturbation a sin?

Do women have the same temptations to lust as men?

How would you interpret verse 29?

What is significant about the “right eye” and the “right hand”?

What is the Old Testament context of verse 31?

Sexual immorality is the Greek word, porneia, in verse 32. What is porneia?

What does God think of divorce? Is there any grounds for getting a divorce? What about remarriage?

Application (questions for the heart and hands):

As a man, have you ever lusted in your heart toward a woman?D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached, “There are highly respectable men and women who would never dream of committing an act of adultery, but look at the way in which they enjoy sinning in the mind and in the imagination. . . . If we can conceivably be satisfied with our lives because we have never committed an act of adultery or of murder or any one of these things, I say that we do not know ourselves nor the blackness and the foulness of our own hearts. We must listen to the teaching of the blessed Son of God and examine ourselves, examine our thoughts, our desires, and our imagination.”

John A. Broadus also joins in, “Many a one would boast, like the Pharisee in the parable, of being no adulterer (Luke 18:11), who yet has often committed adultery in the heart; and God has seen it.“

Is it your fault that you looked in lust at a woman dressed immodestly? Or is it the woman’s fault? Sometimes a man will blame his lusts on the woman. But just a couple days ago, an author named Jonathan wrote on the lies that modesty culture teaches men.

In my past, I have seen pictures that I should not have looked at. Have you? How did it make you feel? Did you repent of your sin and take your sense of shame to the cross of Jesus?

What is your game plan for making a covenant with your eyes (Job 31:1)?

The old Puritan, John Owen, wrote the book, The Mortification of Sin. Mortification means putting to death. How do you get radical in dealing with and putting to death the lust in your life? William Hendriksen passionately wrote, “Take drastic action in getting rid of whatever in the natural course of events will tempt you into sin. . . . Temptation should be flung aside immediately and decisively. Dillydallying is deadly. Halfway measures work havoc. The surgery must be radical. Right at this moment and without any vacillation the obscene book should be burned, the scandalous picture destroyed, the soul-destroying film condemned, the sinister yet very intimate social tie broken, and the baneful habit discarded. In the struggle against sin the believer must fight hard. Shadow-boxing will never do (I Cor. 9:27).“

Is God able to completely forgive and transform your heart from the lustful memories of the past? Oswald Chambers wrote of Christ’s power, “He can alter our dispositions, and He can alter the dreams of our dreams until lust no longer dwells in them.”

How is adultery hurtful?

What should our earthly marriages picture?

How does Jesus feel when we say that we love Him and yet love someone or something else more? Or when we altogether stop loving Him?

How can you minister to someone who has been through a divorce?

Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote a poem, “Loved Once“. It’s convicting. The words “loved once” come from humans in their sin. Not from heaven.

Let this be our prayer – “Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart; Come quickly from above; Write Thy new name upon my heart, Thy new, best name of Love.”

During the month of July, I have enjoyed Christian fellowship with pastors in the area. (1) I am thankful for Pastor Matt of Gethsemane Baptist Church giving to me the video, The 10 Principles for overcoming stubborn habits by Steven B. Curington of Reformers Unanimous International Ministries. Pastor Matt also donated 25 hymnals for use at our gospel rescue mission. (2) I enjoyed meeting Pastor Jason of First Evangelical Lutheran Church and connecting on community outreach and theological books. (3) Pastor Warren has a phenomenal ministry with the men in our IFRM Works Program on Thursday mornings. His twelve step discipleship is Bible-saturated, gospel-centered, and Jesus-empowered. A brother in his church family, Dubois Community Baptist Church, has been supplying us with top-quality, large-print Bibles. (4) I am praying for Pastor James Trent and Grace Falls Church. I resonate with James’ heart in taking Jesus’ love to the marginalized of humanity.

Would you like to contribute financially on a monthly basis to my missionary work? Here are three ways: (1) Send the contribution to the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission but make sure to designate it with my name, for example, “chaplain fund for Todd Wood”. (2) Send the contribution to my home church, Emmaus Road Church, and mark it as “missionary fund for Todd Wood”. Or for option (3), you are welcome to give directly to me. I am praying and seeking to raise my missionary financial support to at least a minimum of $2000 per month. For the month of July, I received $735. Thank you.

Some quick highlights from the trenches:

July 4 – Connected with various, local church ministries in evangelistic outreach

July 9 – Ten men from the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission came with me to a Christian concert with Eddie B. at the band shell in Freeman Park along the river. For a little background info, God set Eddie free from substance abuse. As a result, he is a missionary to men in prisons across the nation.

July 14 – I and a couple coworkers passed out gospel tracks and John’s Gospels during the evening in a city park.

July 16 – Fellowship with the BJU Western Missions Team and Pastor Joe Lacy at Grace Baptist Church in Rexburg, Idaho

July 22 – I revisited the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake. I also met with Pastor Aaron Young of Grace Baptist Church in Elko, Nevada and the BJU Western Missions Team for a tour of Temple Square.

July 23 – I ministered to 30 men in the Bonneville County Jail. One of the men called me the following Tuesday after he was released from BCJ in order to stay briefly at the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission.

July 27 – A good brother, Mike Black, shared his testimony of being freed from substance abuse by the power of Jesus in the Pure Word discipleship group at Watersprings Church.

July 30 – With the Emmaus Road Church family, we baptized Dave Jacobson in the river. We celebrated his obedience to being committed as a disciple of Jesus.

Every Sunday night in July, I preached downtown to approximately 50 people prior to the evening meal offered at the City of Refuge. The teaching series focused on this theme: Jesus is Better than Beer. Also, we have been having a great time singing the hymn, “Victory in Jesus”, every Sunday night.

On the home front:

I hope to take a quick four-day trip with my oldest daughter to the Grand Canyon on the third weekend of August before she heads back to college. Neither one of us have ever visited to see such beauty.

Prayer requests:

August 6 – I will be preaching a message from the Bible to the brothers and sisters of Dubois Community Baptist Church.

August 10 – Pastor Ken Feliciano of Berean Baptist Church will be sharing a devotion with the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission staff during our monthly breakfast.

August 21 – Safety during the total solar eclipse in Idaho Falls.

August 25-26 – With five guys in our IFRM Works Program, we are taking an overnight missions trip to “the Block” in Salt Lake City, where the rescue mission is located.

August 27 – I will be ministering God’s Word to my home church family of Emmaus Road Church.

He opened up the Sunday morning message with this question, “When was the last time you were angry and why?” The church family shared some humorous stories. We laughed. And then Pastor Beau quoted Yoda: “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. . . . Fear is the path to the dark side.” But then things became real serious, real fast as Pastor Beau delved into Genesis 4:1-10, followed by the 6th commandment in Deuteronomy 5, a reiteration of the 10 words of Torah, and then Beau jumped into Jesus’ direct words in Matthew. His harsh words.

Beau pressed upon the church family three points from the text: (1) Jesus’ Messianic Interpretation of “You Shall Not Murder”, (2) Reconciliation Before Worship, and (3) The Danger of not Reconciling.

As Jesus references the Torah from the Hebrew Bible, he is attacking an incomplete interpretation of what was originally written. And who better can explain what is written than the original author, the King? Jesus explains how we murder. Calling your neighbor a “moron” is to steal his name, rip away his reputation, and to attack the very value and dignity of how God has made him in His image.

Imagine worshipers travelling from Galilee to Jerusalem in order to offer their sacrifices in worship to Yahweh. They walk all that distance. They finally make it to the Temple in the capital city. They are in line to offer their sacrifices, but then they begin to think of ruptures in some of their own relationships. Jesus says, “Leave your gift at the altar. Go back home. Make peace and then come worship me.”

We are to mend friendships quickly. We need to reconcile now before it becomes an impossibility later.

My questions related to the ESV text . . .

Observation (questions for the head)

What did Jesus say that you have heard of old (v. 21)?

Because of anger, you can be liable for three things. List them (v. 22).

If your brother has something against you, what are you to do (v. 24)?

What might your accuser do to you (v. 25)?

You will never get out of prison till what happens (v. 26)?

Interpretation (questions for the head and heart)

Aristotle once wrote, “He that is angry for what he ought, and moreover as he ought, and when and as long as he ought, is commended.” Is it ever ok to be angry with your brother (v. 22)?

When does anger become sinful?

What is the Greek expression for “insults” (v. 22)?

What does it mean to call someone a “fool” (v. 22)?

How is Gehenna (hell) associated with fire? Gehenna is connected to the Valley of Hinnom. What was this place in Israel?

What is a gift for the altar? Where is the altar?

How do you explain reconciliation?

Why must there be horizontal relationship before there is vertical worship?

How can one pay his debt when in prison?

Application (questions for the heart and hands)

In the Peanuts comic strip, Lucy would shout at Charlie Brown, “You Blockhead!” Have you ever been tempted to bully someone else in the same way? Have you ever been called derogatory names? How did you feel?

I don’t remember all the bullying that I did to my younger sisters when we were kids growing up. But one of my sisters has reminded me in detail of some of the things I did. There could be several responses given back: (1) “I didn’t do that!” (2) “That’s exaggerated!” Or (3) “I apologize sister. That was not love. Please forgive me.” We all know that answer #3 is the path of family reconciliation. Do you have a story of family forgiveness to share?

Some of our deepest wounds are received in churches. Have you ever experienced a church split? As a result, do you have past Christian friends who are now not talking to you?

What is the process for solving church conflict? One of the best books that I have read on the biblical process for dealing with conflict is The Peacemaker by Ken Sande. Peacemaker Ministries is an excellent nonprofit located here in the Northwest for specifically dealing with Christian conflict and hurt.

Would you like to give praise to God and share a story of reconciliation involving courage, humility, and love?

If we brought all the local churches together for worship at a park on the river, do you think there would need to be reconciliation before worship?

Do you think we should be willing to be reconciled only if we are approached by the one who has hurt us or should we initiate reconciliation?

How did God help you in your being angry toward a family member or friend?

Technically, the Old Testament is called the Tanakh by Jewish people. This is an acronym of the first Hebrew letter of each of the Masoretic Text’s threetraditional subdivisions: Torah (“Teaching”, also known as the Five Books of Moses), Nevi’im (“Prophets”) and Ketuvim (“Writings”)—hence TaNaKh.

Jesus fulfills “the Law and Prophets” (shorthand for the Old Testament) in three ways:

He perfectly kept the law; He perfectly obeyed the Father on our behalf.

He perfectly fulfills all the prophecies foretold by the prophets.

And He perfectly interprets the law. Jesus gives the whole meaning.

There is not one detail of God’s holy law that will be dropped. Pastor Beau illustrated on a big screen:

the hook that distinguishes between the Hebrew letters, kaph and bet

the hook that distinguishes between the Greek letters, omicron and sigma

the extended line that distinguishes a “c” from an “o”.

the smallness of the Hebrew letter, yod, and the Greek letter, iota.

Details in the Scripture matter, and not one detail will be left undone. Can we trust the Bible? Absolutely. We trust what Jesus says right here in this text.

Not only does Jesus fulfill the law and prophets, Jesus followers do and teach Torah. Now, we are not going to presently go out to kill and conquer in other lands; but we will seek in Christ, to do and teach His law. And we will be serious, not relaxed, as we treat God’s law with careful obedience. In this text, Jesus basically tells us, “Obey me and you will be great.”

But verse 20 also drives home the spiritual bankruptcy of any attempts by us in seeking to enter the kingdom of heaven by our own righteousness. Pastor Beau urged us all to put our full weight and trust in Jesus. Let His righteousness replace our sin.

My questions related to the ESV text . . .

Observation (questions for the head)

Jesus came to do what?

What is an iota (v. 18)?

“Relaxes” and “teaches” is starkly contrasted to _________ and ________ (v. 19)?

What do you do with the dietary laws of the Old Testament? The clothing laws? The hair laws? The death penalty by stoning? Animal sacrifices? The various offerings? The priestly hierarchy and specific duties? The special feasts? The special days of worship?

In light of verse 20, how far does a man or woman have to go for obtaining righteousness and being able to walk through the front gates of the kindom of heaven?

Application (questions for the heart and the hands)

Do you have a tendency to ignore the Hebrew Bible? If so, why?

Do you see Jesus in all 39 books of the English Old Testament? Which book might trouble you?

Do you trust that the Bible has been translated correctly?

Which of Jesus’ commands are you tempted to relax from taking seriously and obeying in your own life?

Have you ever taught something from the Bible and yet struggled with following and doing it? What is your remedy to this?

You might have assurance that you will enter heaven, but do you have any confidence that you will be great in heaven?

How righteous do you have to be to enter the kingdom of heaven?

Who will you share with over what you have learned from Jesus?

]]>https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/07/24/matthew-517-20/feed/0thinkingofheartissuesforldsMatthew 5:13-16https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/07/17/matthew-513-16/
https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/07/17/matthew-513-16/#respondMon, 17 Jul 2017 01:05:26 +0000http://rootsbytheriver.org/?p=3470Continue reading →]]>Today, I believe that Pastor Beau Floyd of Emmaus Road Church (facebook) preached on two metaphors which Christians ought to be in the city: (1) salt and (2) light. I missed the message because my family spent the morning in Rexburg, Idaho. But here are some of my interactions with these city-transforming Jesus declarations.

“Some modern teachers seem to think our Lord said, You are the sugar of the earth, meaning that gentleness and winsomeness without curativeness is the ideal of the Christian.” – Oswald Chambers

“Though the Jews saw themselves as the light of the world (Rom 2:19), the true light is the Suffering Servant (Isa 42:6; 49:6), fulfilled in Jesus himself (Matt 4:16; cf. John 8:12; 9:5; 12:35; I John 1:7).” – Carson

Jesus is the Sun, and the church is the moon.

“Flight into the invisible is a denial of the call. A community of Jesus which seeks to hide itself has ceased to follow him.” – Bonhoeffer

“The Christian is not someone who lives in isolation. . . . Christian people alone are the light of the world today.” – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“The disciples of Christ must not muffle themselves up in privacy and obscurity, under pretence of contemplation, modesty, or self-preservation.” – Henry

“Thank God for the men and women who are spending their lives in the slums of the earth, not as social reformers to lift their brothers and sisters to cleaner sties, but as the light of God, revealing a way back to God.” – Chambers

“The glory of God is the great thing we must aim at in every thing we do in religion, I Pet. 4:11. In this center the lines of all our actions must meet.” – Henry

Some of my questions related to this text . . .

Observation (questions for the head)

Jesus uses a metaphor to compare his disciples to what in verse 13?

What happens to tasteless salt?

What is the metaphor that Jesus uses in verse 14?

Why does Jesus want the light placed on a stand?

What does Jesus desire people (1) to see and (2) to give in verse 16?

Interpretation (questions for the head and heart)

What are the benefits of salt? And how does this apply to Christians?

Why in Jesus’ day did they trample tasteless salt under their feet? Did that serve any purpose?

Have you seen what an ancient Jewish lamp looks like?

How is the “city set on a hill” related to Jerusalem in the Old Testament?

How are you different or in contrast to some of the cultural norms in town?

Are you stemming some of the tide of moral decay?

If you have a lantern when you are camping in Idaho, do you put it on the ground or set it up high? Why would you desire to keep the light of Christ in you only private, inconspicuous, or off-the-radar?

What hinders you from standing on the hill so that all in Idaho Falls might see your life? What hinders the church?

What good works might you do this week in order to glorify your Father in heaven?

In your service to Jesus this past week, who received the most praise? You? Or God?

What is preventing the community of Idaho Falls from seeing and being attracted to the good works done by citizens of Christ’s Kingdom in our city?

Have you ever had someone resent the light which you brought in the midst of their darkness?

]]>https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/07/17/matthew-513-16/feed/0thinkingofheartissuesforldsMatthew 5:1-11https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/07/09/matthew-51-11/
https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/07/09/matthew-51-11/#respondSun, 09 Jul 2017 21:29:28 +0000http://rootsbytheriver.org/?p=3322Continue reading →]]>Today, Pastor Beau Floyd of Emmaus Road Church (feel free to like us on facebook) jumped into the opening beatitudes of the Lord’s very famous “Sermon on the Mount”.

Beau opened with the question, “How do you feel blessed?” for our discussion around the tables.

He introduced the New Testament text with Old Testament passages, Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:5-8 (passages close to my heart in regards to the roots by the river theme), and explained to us that Jesus is not doing something brand new. Jesus is explaining again the path of blessing with God. God blesses His people when they trust Him.

Also, Beau connected the New Testament with the Old Testament in a couple of other ways: (1) The Torah is 5 books. Matthew contains five teaching discourses by Jesus. (2) In the Torah, Moses went to the top of the mountain to receive the law of God. In Matthew, Jesus taught the law of God from on top of the mountain. Certainly for Matthew’s Jewish audience, they were expecting a Moses-like prophet to come.

There is blessing in (1) being in a state of complete powerlessness and totally trusting in the Lord, (2) being a merciful and pure minister of gospel reconciliation, and (3) being persecuted because you are a mighty threat to the devil.

Beau concluded the message by saying that if you don’t find yourself being described in this list, have a talk with Jesus today.

Questions related to the text . . .

Observation (questions for the head):

Where did Jesus go?

How many times do you see the word, “blessed”?

You are blessed if you are what? From memory, try to list as many characteristics as possible.

Is there a guaranteed promise with each one of the characteristics? What are they?

Interpretation (questions for the head and heart):

How do you interpret the Sermon on the Mount? Social gospel? Holy law that drives you to grace? Millennial characteristics of a future dispensation? Or the qualities of kingdom living for today?

Where is the designated location today in Israel for Jesus teaching His sermon on the mount?

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? At what level is this type of poverty? Barely making ends meet to pay the bills or abject poverty in the sense that if someone does not help you today, you will perish.

Does American Christendom need the exhortation of Revelation 3:7?

How does one get into the kingdom of heaven?

What does it mean to be “meek”?

How are these qualities in contrast to King Herod and his sons in Matthew 2?

How are these qualities in contrast to what Satan would promise/tempt with in Matthew 3?

Do you know examples of other present kings on the earth who exemplify and stress these qualities for those living in their kingdoms?

Application (questions for the heart and hands):

Would you like to share a story of past, personal poverty? And remember you can be poor in spirit without being physically poor.

When was the last time that you mourned before God? What caused the mourning?

Does your work company emphasize meekness as a healthy trait? Do your Christian friends exhibit meekness? Do they see this in you?

How do you exhibit a hunger for righteousness?

How has God been merciful to you? How can you extend mercy to someone that you are having a hard time with this week?

Is there a situation in your life that could use some peacemaking?

Are you known to be a peacemaker? Are you spreading God’s shalom through the city? How can you do that this week?

Has someone recently spoken bad about you because of your Christian beliefs? How did you handle that in your heart? What was your response?

In regards to Jesus’ ministry, Beau highlighted Jesus teaching, proclaiming, and healing. And then he explored how we might partner with Jesus by teaching the Word, preaching the gospel, and bringing healing to a broken world.

Beau noted Jesus’ fame, but then he stated that fame and popularity are not always the best. One of the saddest verses in the Bible is John 6:66 (simply remember 666): “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.”

In application, are you just a part of the crowd who follows Jesus to get what you want or are you a true disciple of Jesus? Will you follow Jesus or run?

Questions related to the text . . .

Observation (questions for the head)

What were the three aspects of Jesus’ ministry in Matthew 4:23?

What are the limits to Jesus’ mastery over different types of diseases?

What spread about Jesus?

Who were brought to Jesus? What did he do with all of them?

Where did the great crowds come from to follow Jesus?

Interpretation (questions for the head and heart)

What is a synagogue?

What takes place in the synagogue?

How is the synagogue different from the church?

What is the gospel of the kingdom?

Where is Syria? Decapolis? Judea? Beyond the Jordan?

What should Christians teach and preach today?

Where is the healing taking place in Idaho Falls?

Application (questions for the heart and hands)

Where do you think Jesus would seek to teach during the week? The LDS seminary buildings? Catholic parishes? The downtown gospel rescue mission?

Where would Jesus be teaching on Sundays in Idaho Falls?

What does God want you teach your own family? Among brothers and sisters in the church family?

Do you believe you might have the gift of teaching?

Do you have the gift of evangelism? Where are the best areas for evangelism in Idaho Falls during the week?

Who can you share the good news of the kingdom with this week?

Do you know someone who is sick? How can you help them? Let me insert a note of praise. My dad had epilepsy, and God healed him. And I have been healed of paralysis. Jehovah-Rapha! Our God is the God who heals.

We know at times that Jesus can be very popular in Idaho Falls. What would it take for you to stop following Jesus? Have you ever left Him in the past?

I am deeply thankful for Christians and church families who are considering to partner with me in being a missionary pastor to those who are low-income, struggling with addictions, and have experienced great loss. My heart is among those who live in the margins of the community.

It has been my joy to be a part of leading small-group, Bible studies in downtown Idaho Falls each morning during the week. Sixteen men have popped in to participate in biblical discussions. And six of the men are regular attenders for being discipled in the words and life of Jesus.

Some quick highlights from the trenches:

June 3 – Breakfast with the brothers at Berean Baptist Church

June 8 – An Evangelical/LDS conversation at the Civic Auditorium

June 10 – A quick stop in at the Community Appreciation Event with New Destiny Ministries

June 28 – Jeff Cale, a mission resident: shared his testimony during the Subway free meal on the green belt

June 29 – Dave Jacobson, a mission resident: trusted in Jesus as Savior in my office

June 30 – BJU Western Missions Team singing at the City of Refuge during the community meal

July 2 – My missionary commissioning at Emmaus Road Church on the river

On the home front:

My family enjoyed a nice week away in Northern Idaho. In June 18-23, we biked the 90 miles of the Trail of the Coeur D’Alenes and the Route of the Hiawatha–gorgeous scenery and great family time.

Prayer requests and needs:

Increase in personal missionary financial support – Starting here in July, I will be receiving $960 from the IFRM pay roll a month. For the rest of my financial support I am looking to the Lord to be supported from churches and individuals. My goal is to eventually be completely off the IFRM’s pay roll and to be fully missionary supported by churches and individuals.

Small sound system for the Sonshine room in order to better project music and Bible teaching before community meals at the mission

Basic bike tools so that men in the IFRM works program can repair bicycles

Need a case of Gospel Transformation ESV Bibles

Need a case of large, print ESV or NKJV Bibles

thinking about taking a group of the guys on a weekend gospel mission trip to the homeless tent cities in Salt Lake City

Help facilitate discipleship components for the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission and a future gospel-based Recovery Program

Thanks for the prayers. God bless you all.

roots by the river,

Todd Wood

]]>https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/07/02/mercy-in-the-margins-july-2017/feed/0thinkingofheartissuesforldsMatthew 4:18-22https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/06/29/matthew-418-22/
https://rootsbytheriver.org/2017/06/29/matthew-418-22/#respondThu, 29 Jun 2017 04:46:56 +0000http://rootsbytheriver.org/?p=3171Continue reading →]]>I heard that this last Sunday, Pastor Beau of Emmaus Road Church focused his sermon on these five verses. I also was told that he introduced this text by illustrating God’s calling upon men in the Old Testament, like Abraham, Moses, and Elisha.

I do believe that these verses are crucial for the foundation of vibrant Christian discipleship in Idaho Falls. Here are some questions related to the text.

Observation (questions for the head)

Where is the Sea of Galilee?

Who is Simon’s other brother?

What was the brothers’ work occupations?

What did Jesus command the brothers to do?

What was their response?

Who was the father of James and John?

Interpretation (questions for the head and heart)

Why was Simon called Peter?

What gives Jesus the authority to issue such commands?

What does Jesus have the power to do with a simple fisherman’s life?

Application (questions for the heart and hands)

Are you convinced in your head that Jesus is worth following?

In the Lord’s calling in specific times in my life, I have been absolutely overwhelmed. What would give you the encouragement to trust His calling in your life?

Do you think that Jesus is able to transform and equip you for what He wants you to do?

What would happen to the city of Idaho Falls if all believers in Jesus became obedient “fishers of men”?

Could you share a story of how you immediately dropped something that you were doing to pursue a calling by the Lord? What did your family think about this? What did your friends say to you? Did they think that you were crazy?

A Christian friend made an engraved wooden sign for our family that says these words: “The Woods – God’s will cannot lead us where His grace will not keep us.” Would you agree with that?